Objective To investigate the effects of noninvasive ventilation for the treatment of acute respiratory failure secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS) . Methods 127 patients with complete information were collected from the database of SARS in Guangdong province, who were all consistent with the ALI/ARDS diagnostic criteria. The patients were divided into three groups depending on ventilation status, ie. a no-ventilation group, a noninvasive ventilation group, and a mechanical ventilation group. The outcome of ventilation treatmentwas followed up.Multi-factor regression analysis was conducted to analyze the relations of ventilation treatment with ARDS and mortality, and factors associated with success of noninvasive ventilation. Results As soon as the patients met the diagnostic criteria of ALI/ARDS, the patients in the noninvasive ventilation group were in more serious condition and had a higher proportion of ARDS compared with the no-ventilation group ( P lt;0. 01) . The patients in the mechanical ventilation group had a higher mortality rate ( P lt;0.01) . 6 and 7 patients in the no-ventilation group had noninvasive ventilation and invasive ventilation thereafter, respectively. 15 patients in the noninvasive group switched to invasive ventilation. Compared with the patients without ventilation ( n =45) , the patients receiving noninvasive ventilation ( n = 61) were in more serious condition and at higher risk of developing ARDS ( P lt;0. 01) , but the mortality was not different between them ( P gt; 0. 05) . The patients who continued to receive noninvasive ventilation ( n = 40) were in more serious condition, and at higher risk of developing ARDS compared with the patients without ventilation ( n = 45) ( P lt; 0. 01) . 15 patients in the noninvasive group who switched to invasive ventilation were older than those patients continuing noninvasive ventilation.Conclusions For SARS patients fulfilling the ALI/ARDS criteria, the patients underwent noninvasive ventilation are more severe, run a higher probability of developing ARDS from ALI. But earlier initiation of noninvasive ventilation has no impact on mortality. The patients who tolerate noninvasive ventilation can avoid intubation, especially for young patients. However, the time and indication of shifting from noninvasive ventilation to invasive ventilation should be emphasized.
Objective To compare the advantages between SmartCare weaning and protocoldirected weaning in COPD patients regarding five aspects including comfort degree of COPD patients in weaning stage, workload of medical staff, weaning success rate, weaning time, and complications associated with mechanical ventilation. Methods COPD patients who’s planning to receive ventilation weaning were randomly divided into a SmartCare weaning group ( SC group) and a protocol-directed weaning group ( SBT group) . The comfort degree of patients and workload of medical staff were assessed by the visual analogue scale ( VAS) as the weaning plan started. 0 was for the most discomfort and maximal workload, and 10 was for the most comfort and minimal workload. Data fromthe following aspects had been recorded: times of blood gas analysis, weaning success rate, weaning time, self-extubation rate, the rate of re-intubation within 48 hours, and ventilator-associated pneumonia ( VAP) incidences. Results 40 patients were selected and divided into the SC group ( n =19) and the SBT group ( n =21) . There was no significant difference in the enrolled age and APACHEⅡ between two groups. The VAS scores was higher in the SC group than that in the SBT group in the first three days ( Plt;0.01) . The weaning time was shorter in the SBT group than that in the SBT group [ ( 4.7 ±2.7) days vs. ( 5.5 ±3.2) days] , without significant difference between two groups ( P gt;0.05) . There were no differences in times of blood gas analysis, weaning success rate, weaning time, self-extubation rate, the rate of re-intubation within 48 hours, and ventilator-associated pneumonia ( VAP) incidences between two groups ( P gt; 0.05) .Conclusion As compared with protocol-directed weaning, SmartCare weaning can increase comfort degree of patients and reduce the workload of medical staff with similar weaning success rate, weaning time, and complications associated with mechanical ventilation.